Lack of correlation between intraocular inflammation and after-cataract formation in the rabbit eye

Purpose: To determine whether an increased or reduced inflammatory response following cataract surgery influences the development of after-cataract. Setting: Department of Preclinical Ophthalmology, Pharmacia, Uppsala, Swede n. Methods: Rabbits that had had cataract surgery were given endotoxin, ovalbu min, dexamethasone, or diclofenac. Aqueous humor, leukocytes, and prostagla ndin E-2 (PGE(2)) were analyzed. and the wet weight of the after-cataract w as determined. Results: The wet weight of the after-cataract was unaffected by endotoxin a nd 67% lower in the eyes treated with ovalbumin than in the control eyes on day 56. Aqueous humor concentrations of leukocytes and PGE(2) were 94% and 87% lower in the group treated with dexamethasone than in the control grou p on day 7, and the concentration of PGE(2) was 98% lower in the diclofenac group; however, the wet weight of the after-cataract was unaffected by bot h treatments. Conclusion: This study suggests that an increased inflammatory response doe s not increase the development of after-cataract and a reduction in the inf lammatory response does not reduce the development of after-cataract. (C) 2 000 ASCRS and ESCRS.